El Clasico: All to know about the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid

What the report says

Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to renew one of football’s most followed rivalries on Sunday in La Liga’s El Clasico, with Barcelona hosting the match. Al Jazeera says the fixture arrives amid strong anticipation because the contest has lasted more than a century and has often carried significance beyond the pitch.

According to the report, the rivalry began in 1902, when the clubs first met in a cup competition in Madrid, and intensified after both sides entered Spain’s top division in 1929. The article also notes that the clash has long reflected broader tensions between Spain’s largest cities, with Barcelona often associated with Catalan identity and Real Madrid with Spanish nationalism. In more recent decades, the matchup has been shaped by high-profile players and managers, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

The piece says the clubs remain locked in off-field disputes as well. Real Madrid has recently pressed UEFA to advance its review of the Negreira case, while Barcelona president Joan Laporta has accused Real of repeatedly attacking La Liga. Those disputes add context to a match already treated as a major sporting event and a barometer of power in Spanish football.

On the field, the teams are closely matched overall, and Barcelona enter the game as league leaders after a perfect start to their domestic campaign, while Real Madrid sit third. Al Jazeera says Barcelona won the most recent meeting and could strengthen their position if they repeat that result.